18 December 2015

From The Rich African Soils to Asia - Thailand Bangkok

Travel and
gain experience they say, well they are right. The more I travel the more I
meet a whole lot of different people that I learn from each time. Having been
exposed to travelling at the age of 10 I have travelled to a number of
countries in Africa and that built so much desire to travel even more.

My first
ever trip outside Africa was in 2007, 16 August 2007 to be precise. I remember
the day like it was yesterday, who’d forget such a ‘magical’ moment from an
African boy born and raised in an African middle class family. I had just
turned 19 years by then and making a huge move to Malaysia to further my
studies, an opportunity of a lifetime. I wasn't sure of what to expect but I
couldn’t care less because my dream to go abroad had just been fulfilled. The 4
years I spent in Malaysia made me fall in love with Asia in general hence
deciding to pack my bags on the fall on 2014 to head back to the continent
after 3 years of being home. December 6th 2014, I left the African
soils, jetted to Thailand, where I spent a period of 10 months, how was my
experience in Thailand? One word AMAZING!!!!

OK here it
goes, I arrived in Thailand on December 7th
2014 excited to meet my good friend after 3 years, she on the other end never
left Asia, she decided to stay behind in Malaysia instead, and she’s more Asian
than me. My first visit to Thailand SAWADEE KRUP,I
honestly wasn't expecting much though since I have been in Asia before, Oh boy
oh boy I was wrong. Bangkok was busy, I thought Kuala Lumpur was busy, but NO
this city was on steroids, everyone seemed to be in a hurry and on the mobile
phones of course, the traffic jam on the other hand was one that you wouldn't
want to be stuck in, an absolute NIGHTMARE!!

Anyways
first weekend out, my girl took me to one of the rooftop bars in the heart of
the city, Octave Rooftop Bar in Marriott Hotel
and the view was SPECTACULAR, with that first night out I was sold,
OFFICIALLY. I have done rooftop bars in Malaysia but that was one rooftop bar
to write home about. I went on to see other rooftop bars like the Vertigo and
Moon bar, Sofitel, Cloud 7 among others. Bangkok night life will literally Give
You life, the city really transforms at night, from Royal City Avenue
(RCA), a street of night clubs, Soi 2 & soi 4 specifically for the
His&His so as the Hers&Hers. One other place that I really fell in love
with was the Altitude Night Club the highest Night Club in Bangkok that gives
you a night view you'll remember for life, you get to see downtown Bangkok. Who
can forget the most touristy street Khao San Road, bars in every corner and all
sorts of street foods and cuisines to try, I tried eating a grasshopper but I
only managed to lick it. LOL.

Thailand has
so much to offer and see, I got a chance to see a few places around the city,
the Temples along then Chao Phraya River, on my way to the Grand Palace.
Apparently the place around that area that’s the old Bangkok, it’s so filled
with ancient buildings.

This
building is known as the “Old Customs House”
an old colonial building. It was designed by an Italian architect and built in
the 1890s. It has since been turned into a fire brigade, however it is said
that there are plans being done to turn it into a five star hotel. The building
has not been painting in over 30 years.
It is located on the banks of Chao Phraya River, in the ‘OLD’ Bangkok.

The
place is a popular spot for photographer and filmographers because of its
ancient architectural touch but it can only be accessed by resident being it
the Firefighters and their families ONLY.

The WAT
ARUN TEMPLE famously known as the Temple of Dawn name after the
Indian God of Dawn Aruna. It was built in the reign of King Narai in the mid-17th
century and later extended during the reign of Rama III (between 1824 and
1851). It is located along the Chao Phraya River and it has since became
one of the most visited sites in Thailand. It’s famously known for its enormous
Sprang that stands more than 80 meters tall

Who travels to Bangkok and not do some
shopping, that wouldn’t make any sense at all. I visited some very cool malls,
like the famous Siam Square and Paragon which is among the most expensive mall
in Bangkok selling nothing but designer clothes, Terminal 21 (T21) a mall with
all the big ‘cities’ under one roof, from Tokyo to London, Paris to Rome.

Once again, who would go to Bangkok and not
visit the famous MBK, the largest mall in Bangkok standing at eight stories
high. You come to Thailand you must visit this place, there is an art gallery
around the area as well. MBK alone has over 2000 shops, from fashion to
technology among others.

If you aren’t fussy about shopping you
wouldn’t mind picking very cool stuff randomly from markets on the streets. Bangkok
has one of the largest market in Thailand, Chatuchak Market. At this market you
can get literally about anything, from a pet, new fake designer underwear to a
black burger and a beer, anything really, you’ll literally shop til you drop,
the place is humongous and expect to get lost and head home tired. You will
definitely have to check yourself in at a Thai massage shop.

In all honesty Bangkok is Amazing you'll
love this place, the food is AMAZING enjoy the rest your time there and ignore
the bullshit you'll have memorable moments. I enjoyed BKK and hoping to return
one day.